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Farm Programs & Local Resources
Last Updated: March 2026 | Always verify with your local USDA office. Report an error
About Livingston County
Elevation across Livingston County averages about 1,101 feet. The county falls within the Ontario-Erie Plain and Finger Lakes Region (MLRA 101) land resource region.
The growing season in Livingston County spans roughly 244 frost-free days. Rainfall averages 35.6 inches per year. January lows average around 16°F while July highs reach about 81°F.
The 2022 Census of Agriculture counted 612 farms in Livingston County, operating across 196,542 acres of farmland. The average farm spans 321 acres. Top commodities include milk, corn, and cattle.
Quick Facts
| Region | Finger Lakes |
| Top Commodities | Dairy, Corn, Cattle & calves, Soybeans, Vegetables, Wheat |
Current Conditions
Drought status: Abnormally Dry (D0) — monitor conditions.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor · Updated 2026-09-08
Your Local USDA Offices
Your nearest USDA Service Center houses both NRCS (conservation programs like EQIP and CSP) and FSA (loans, disaster assistance, farm numbers). Here are the offices serving Livingston County.
USDA Service Center (NRCS + FSA)
11 Megan Dr, Geneseo, NY 14454
Office info is from USDA’s published directory. Call ahead to confirm hours before visiting.
What to do when you call: Ask to schedule a meeting with a conservation planner (for EQIP/CSP) or a loan officer (for FSA programs). Mention the type of operation you run and what improvements you're considering.
Forage and Grazing in Livingston County
The forage year in Livingston County runs from green-up in April to peak growth in August (2021–2025 satellite average). The county runs 9,468 acres of pastureland and 21,169 head of cattle. Confirm your official normal grazing period with FSA — it governs which drought weeks can count toward LFP.
Farm Structure in Livingston County
About 23% of Livingston County producers are 65 or older. Roughly 23% of farms are small and 9% are large, so ranking pools and program fit vary a good deal across the county. The average farm runs 321 acres.
What Tends to Fit in Livingston County
Given the operation mix in Livingston County, the practices that most often come up are prescribed grazing, livestock water development, and cross-fencing for grazing operations; waste storage, nutrient management, and Dairy Margin Coverage for dairies; and cover crops, residue management, and ARC/PLC election for row-crop ground. Whether any of them scores well depends on your county's Local Working Group priorities, which NRCS can walk you through before you apply.
Programs for Livingston County Operations
Based on Livingston County's agricultural profile, these programs are most relevant:
Conservation programs focus on nutrient management and soil health practices for dairy operations. Water quality protection in the Genesee River watershed is a priority for environmental stewardship initiatives.
Not sure which programs fit? Run our free eligibility screener. Two minutes, personalized action packet.
Local Conservation Priorities
Each county's NRCS Local Working Group sets the conservation practices that score highest for EQIP funding. Knowing your county's priorities before you apply can significantly improve your ranking.
How to find your county's priorities:
- Call your local NRCS office and ask: "What practices is the Local Working Group prioritizing this year?"
- Ask which EQIP ranking pool your operation fits (there may be separate pools for livestock, cropland, forestry, etc.)
- Check your state NRCS website for published ranking criteria
Adjacent Counties
Counties bordering Livingston County: Allegany County, New York, Genesee County, New York, Monroe County, New York, Ontario County, New York, Steuben County, New York, and Wyoming County, New York. Each runs its own Local Working Group and may prioritize different conservation practices.
Your Next Steps in Livingston County
- Run the eligibility screener: Free Screener
- Find your USDA Service Center: Service Center Locator
- Read the New York guide: New York Farm Programs Guide
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